Mia Erickson

Mia (Johnson) Erickson, age 52 of Osakis began her new life on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 from the Galeon complex in Osakis, MN while surrounded by her family.
Mia Marie Johnson was born on January 16, 1963 and was lovingly welcomed into the Olaf and Marilynn Johnson family. She graduated from Osakis High School with the class of 1981 and furthered her education at Alexandria Technical College in the Accounting program. She then transferred to the University of Minnesota, Morris campus. After schooling, Mia moved to Washington State and lived and worked there until resettling in the Helena area of Montana. She returned again to live in Washington for a time before coming home to her family in Osakis, MN in March of this year when she faced the challenge of fighting cancer. Mia was generous to a fault and valued others feelings above her own, and looked for ways to inspire and help others. She received a financial gift from Thrivent Insurance Co to help with expenses during her illness. Rather than use on herself, Mia helped raise additional funds to make tote bags which contained small toiletries, books and goodies to be given to cancer patients to brighten their day. She also arranged to provide electronic tablets for use by patients during chemo appointments at Douglas County Hospital Oncology. She had a big heart for animals, especially loving her own Border Collies. She had a smile that lit her face and warmed hearts, right to her last days.
Left to mourn her passing is her mother, Marilynn Johnson of Osakis; siblings, Larry (Marlinda) Johnson of St. Anthony, MN, Steven (Diane) Johnson of New York, Duane Johnson of Minneapolis, Neil Johnson and Susan (Paul) McCaughan, all of Osakis, Bennet (Michelle) Johnson of Brooklyn Park, Polly (Dale) Colby of Alexandria; 11 nieces and nephews, (Mary, Sean, Christopher, Sarah, Aaron (Betsy), Luke (Tara) Johnson, Bethany (Luke) Nelson, Amanda and Ryan McCaughan, Alisha (Travis) Timm, Cole Colby); 7 great nieces and nephews, (Oliver, Isabella, Lucy, Ayla, Izadora, Calvin, Larken.)
She is preceded in death by her father, Olaf Johnson.
Memorial services will be held for Mia on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 1:00 pm at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church in rural Osakis with Rev. Steve Hilde officiating. Musicians are organist, Ione Johnson, soloist, Nathan Larson and additional music by some of her lifelong friends. Inurnment is at the church cemetery. Visitation hours are from 4 - 8 pm on Friday evening, October 2 at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church.
Memorials preferred to the Douglas County Hospice or Douglas County Humane Society.